Business, general

IBM will acquire Informix unit in push for more of database-software market

Article Abstract:

IBM will double the size of its distributed database business in its acquisition of Informix Corp.'s unit for $1 billion. Informix has 100,000 customers and about 12% of the distributed-database market share compared with Oracle's 31% and IBM's 30%. The remaining segment of Informix, information-assets management software, will be renamed Ascential Software Inc.

Software landscape shifts as IBM makes hostile bid for Lotus; giant is determined to lead in business of lashing desktop PCs together; will another suitor emerge?

Article Abstract:

IBM is proposing to acquire Lotus Development Corp for $3.3 billion in a hostile takeover move that is representative of IBM's aggressive growth strategy. IBM CEO Lou Gerstner had talked with Lotus CEO Jim Manzi about a possible acquisition in the past but unable to reach an agreement, decided to pursue a hostile approach. The acquisition would be the largest yet in the computer software industry and would be unheard of in IBM's past. The hostile nature of the bid could also lead other companies in the software industry to reconsider the possibility of unsolicited takeover plans. Even if IBM does not acquire Lotus, it is likely to change the future of that company. Analysts doubt that Lotus can remain an independent company and there are rumors that other companies, such as AT&T, could make a bid for Lotus.

Lotus CEO Jim Manzi will keep his job in the wake of the recent IBM acquisition. The agreement calls for Manzi to remain at the helm of Lotus, now an IBM subsidiary, and to accept an appointment as an IBM senior VP. The arrangement is regarded as unusual because CEOs do not usually stay on after an acquisition. In Manzi's case, it is particularly unusual in view of his mediocre performance during his 11 years as Lotus' chief. Lotus' 1-2-3 software was a seminal force in the desktop software movement and its Notes groupware offering, much coveted by IBM, is the standard for work group computing. Lotus became a takeover prospect when low sales brought its stock price down.